Alpha-pinene-functionalized PLA (polylactic acid) packaging films with insecticidal activity for sustainable control of Sitophilus oryzae.

The rising demand for the use of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials has led to extensive research activities in the development of biodegradable polymers and bioactive compounds. Although synthetic packaging materials are effective, they are also causing environmental hazards due to their non-biodegradable characteristics and low ability to reduce post-harvest losses. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to develop an active biodegradable packaging material using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films embedded with alpha-pinene essential oil to reduce the occurrence of the stored grain pest Sitophilus oryzae in sorghum grains.
The developed active biodegradable packaging material was subjected to detailed characterisation tests to assess its functional properties. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to confirm the compatibility of the alpha-pinene essential oil with the PLA matrix. This was done through the identification of the functional group interactions between the two compounds. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to confirm the chemical composition of the essential oil and the presence of the bioactive compound alpha-pinene.
For this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is known for its good film-forming properties and eco-friendliness, was used. Alpha-pinene, which is naturally occurring and is known for its insecticidal and antimicrobial activities, was used in conjunction with PLA. The PLA films were then prepared using an appropriate solvent casting method. This method is used to ensure that there is good distribution of the essential oil in the PLA matrix.The insecticidal properties of the developed films were evaluated using fumigation tests on Sitophilus oryzae. Sorghum grains were packed in PLA films that contained alpha-pinene. The mortality rate of Sitophilus oryzae was then evaluated. From the results, it was evident that there was a significant reduction in the survival rate of Sitophilus oryzae. This shows that alpha-pinene is effective in controlling pests that infest stored products. This also shows that the developed PLA films have good potential in controlling pests in stored products using alpha-pinene.
The people who did this study wanted to see how the special packaging they made would affect the sorghum grains. So they did some tests to see if the grains would still grow after being stored in the packaging. The results showed that the packaging did not hurt the grains, and they could still grow. This means the packaging is safe to use for storing seeds. This study was a success because it showed that we can make packaging that's biodegradable and can help keep insects and bad microbes away. The packaging is made from a material called PLA, and it has alpha-pinene essential oil in it. This is a way to store grains because it does not use synthetic pesticides, and it is good for the environment. The people who did the study looked at the packaging under a microscope to see what it looked like. They saw that the essential oil was spread out evenly in the packaging material. They also tested how strong the packaging was. Found out that it was still strong enough to use even though it was a little weaker than they thought it would be. This study is important because it shows that we can use this kind of packaging to store grains like sorghum and keep them safe from insects and microbes. Maybe someday we can use thispackaging to store food and other things. The people who did the study think that next they should try to make the packaging better by changing how much essential oil they use and seeing how it works in real life. They also want to make more of the packaging and see how it works over time. The sorghum grains are a part of this study because they are the ones being stored in the packaging. The packaging is made to help keep the sorghum grains safe. The study is also, about the PLA and alpha-pinene oil because they are the materials used to make the packaging. The packaging is special because it is biodegradable and can help keep insects and microbes from the sorghum grains.